Process of softening vegetable fiber



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. L. JONES AND GEORGE O. WARR, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY.

PROCESS OF SOFTENING VEG ETABLE FIBER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 507,225, dated October24, 1893. Application filedApril 20, 1892. Serial No. 429,917. (Nospecimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM H. L. J ONES and GEORGE O. WARR, citizensof the United States, residing in Paterson, county of Passaio, and Stateof New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inProcesses of Softening Vegetable Fibers; and we do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

Heretofore it has been impractical to spin the coarser vegetable fiberssuch as hemp, jute, ramie and the like into fine threads or yarns, softin texture and of the requisite strength.

The object of our present invention is to so soften the fibers of plantssuch as hemp, jute, ramie and the like so that the same may be spun toany degree of fineness and softness, without impairing the tenacity orstrength of the same.

The present invention consists in subjecting the fiber to the action ofa solution containing an alkali, soap, oil and glycerine until thefibers are sufficiently softened and in thereafter drying the same. Theproportions of these various ingredients may vary somewhat according tothe nature of the fiber to be treated, but we have found that thefollow- 1ng proportions will give, ordinarily, good results, viz: Water,eighty-five ,per cent; alkali or alkaline compound,'one per cent. oil,seven per cent. soap, five per cent., and glycerine, two per cent. Thealkali to be used is by preference caustic soda (at about 33) althoughother alkalies such as saltpeter, or ammonia may be used with equallygood results.

To carry out our invention, the fibers are first washed of theirimpurities and then placed in a tank or vat containing a solution ofalkali, soap, oil and glycerine. The fibers are boiled in this solutionof potassium, soap, oil and glycerine until they are thoroughlysaturated and softened.

Instead of boiling the fibers, the solution of alkali, soap, oil andglycerine may be heated to a temperature below the boiling point and thefibers allowed to remain in this solution until they become saturatedand softened. The fibers are then removed from the solution and dried,the elements of the solution remaining in combination with the fibers.It will be found that after this treatment the fiber loses its harsh,brittle texture and becomes soft and silky and may be spun into delicatethreads or yarns in the usual well known way without impairing thetenacity of the material.

Having described our invention, What we claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

The herein described method of softening vegetable fiber which consistsin first subjecting the fiber to the action of a solution of alkali,soap, oil and glycerine, until the fiber is saturated and softened, andin then drying the saturated fiber,substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our handsthis 18th day of April, 1892.

WILLIAM H. L. JONES. GEO. O. WARR. Witnesses:

ALFRED GARTNER, WM. D. BELL.

